COMEDIAN Bill Bailey starts a ‘back-to-front’ walk along Britain’s oldest road in a fundraising tribute to his mother today.

The stand-up comic, who lost his mum Madryn, to cancer, is walking 100 miles along The Ridgeway to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

The star of Black Books will be joined by a number of fellow comedians for the trek which will take six days to complete.

Among those hoping to put in an appearance alongside Bill will be Jo Brand, Lee Mack, Kevin Eldon and Martin Trenaman.

He said: “I love the route. It is just stunning – a beautiful bit of old England which is surprisingly remote.

“Most people walk it west to east because the wind is at your back, I am going rogue for Stand Up To Cancer and going the other way.”

The walk was born out of Bill’s desire to do something different for his 50th birthday.

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Instead of a party, he organised a walk and invited friends to join him and has so far raised £12,000 for a charity close to his heart.

“It occurred to me that if I started a bit earlier and got a bit more organised, we could make a huge impact.

“We can get the message out there and raise a load of money that will help save lives.

“I immediately thought of Stand Up To Cancer because it has a really fantastic focus on the clinical trials, pushing forward the results of research and breakthroughs, getting them from the lab to patients as fast as possible.”

Bill's mum died of bowel cancer in 2005 at the age of 74 and was a GP before her retirement.

The team will walk through six counties in as many days, travelling 15 miles every day through Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs.

To support Bill’s walk, text BILL5 to donate £5 to 70404, BILL10 to donate £10 to 70404.

Visit standuptocancer.org.uk for more information on how to support Stand Up To Cancer.